WASHINGTON (CNN) - Gay rights advocates gathered near the Washington Monument on Saturday to express opposition to the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy just hours before President Barack Obama was expected to speak to the Human Rights Campaign on issues affecting the gay community.

Many of the protesters said they were disappointed with what they saw as Obama's inaction on gay rights.

"I don't think that President Obama has done enough. I think we need action, real action, we need it now. We are standing up to demand our equal basic human rights, and that's what this is about," said Dave Valk, who helped organize the protest for the National Equality March.FULL POST